Tuesday 11 February 2014

Goldfinch battles...

and don't mess with the Greenfinch... unless you are a female Greenfinch.

Our three seed feeders, filled with a mixture of mixed bird, Niger and sunflower seeds are a daily hive of activity and I thought I would share a short story and a seven minute video with you.

Dominated by Goldfinches battling it out, a male Greenfinch knocks his way onto the feeder. After several attempts by the Goldfinches to remove him, they recruit the help of a feisty female Greenfinch. She does her very best to remove him.


I don't think that's a kiss

When she fails she must be extremely annoyed and takes it out on another male who is just sat there minding his own business...

In the end the Goldfinch's make him leave...

The action with the Greenfinch happens about half way through. It is worth watching just for the insight into the birds behaviour...


The pictures above were taken from the video hence the limited quality.

I have just seen our first Brambling of the year, a fine male.

2 comments:

Colin and Elizabeth said...

That gives a whole new meaning to "Fight or flight"...

Looks as if a little anger management wouldn't go amiss!!

Glad they're keeping you company, Colin. x

Tim said...

Magic! Aren't those greenfinches toughs? We had our first brambling of the year today too. Where have they been? P.